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GRADUATE STUDENTS

If you are interested in earning a higher-level degree at Northwestern through our Graduate Studies programs, we offer three master’s degree programs – American Studies, Counseling Psychology and Education – and one online doctoral program – the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program or BSN to DNP Program.

MASTER'S and DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

If you are interested in applying to our Master's Degree program or our Doctoral Program, please see the information below showing what we’ll need from you, the requirements necessary to apply to these programs and an application forms.

Detailed information about our Master's Degree programs and the various options can be found at Graduate Studies. For additional details on the doctoral degree (BSN to DNP) visit the BSN to DNP Program page.

Non-Oklahoma residents (excluding international students) may be eligible for the NWOSU GO OK! Tuition waiver program. Each semester the Registrar's office will determine if out-of-state residents meet the requirements for this waiver.

Criteria to meet the requirements for this waiver are as follows:

GRADUATE STUDENTS

- Make formal application to the Graduate Program AND meet unconditional admission (refer to the Graduate Catalog for details)

- Have a retention/graduation GPA of 3.00.

(The tuition waiver program does not apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.)

Degree-seeking students must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must meet ONE of the following standards for unconditional admission:

A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale OR

A 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of course work OR

A score that places the individual at the 25th percentile on two of the three areas (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) OR

A score that places the individual at the 25th percentile on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Master of Counseling Psychology (MCP) degree applicants also must have:

18 credit hours in psychology

Undergraduate or graduate statistics course (C or better)

Undergraduate or graduate research course (C or better)

All students applying for admission to the graduate program will receive a letter of acceptance or non-acceptance from the Office of Graduate Studies once an approval decision has been made. Those who have been approved will be notified if they have been admitted conditionally or unconditionally. Students applying for the MCP program also will receive an acceptance or non-acceptance letter from the Psychology Department.

Students who already hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education will be admitted unconditionally upon providing an official copy of a transcript stating the degree.

Degree-seeking students who are not eligible for unconditional admission based on the above criteria may seek conditional admission if they meet minimum conditional admission criteria, including a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale, or a GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 hours attempted. Additional prerequisite course work may be required of conditional admission students. Students admitted conditionally are ineligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Students who are taking courses for personal or professional enhancement rather than seeking a degree must hold a baccalaureate degree and meet minimum conditional admission criteria, including a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale, or a GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 hours attempted.

To be considered official, college transcripts may be submitted by the student in person or by mail to the Registrar’s Office, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717.

The Registrar’s Office also will accept transcripts sent electronically as official if they are sent via email to Sheri Lahr or Teri Warrendirectly from the issuing institution or the institution’s third party company (E-Script, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.).

These transcripts must be on file in the Northwestern Registry Office on the Alva campus.

The MAT can be taken at our Alva or Woodward locations by contacting Matt Barnes, Academic Success Center Director, at (580) 327-8149, and in Enid by contacting Candace Reim, Coordinator of Student Services, at (580) 213-3147.

Test is $80 and should be paid for in the Business Office prior to exam.

Regardless of the standard used for admission to graduate study, ALL graduate students must take EITHER the MAT or the GRE and have an official score in their student file.

The score serves as an entry-level assessment for the master's degree programs, as required for Northwestern's continued accreditation.

Master of Counseling Psychology (MCP) degree applicants also must provide:

1. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or other professionals related to the field of study

2. A written statement of career aspirations and self-evaluation of strengths and weaknesses related to the field of study

3. A sample of scholarly written work (e.g., a research paper, term paper, professional report or publication)

4. An oral interview with the graduate faculty of the psychology department (The application/interview process must be completed prior to enrolling in the 10th graduate hour.)

Items from MCP applicants should be mailed to Dr. Leigh Kirby, Interim Psychology Chair, NWOSU, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717 or attached to an email to her atltkirby@nwosu.edu. Her phone number is (580) 213-3136.

Doctoral Program: Admission Requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Application and acceptance to Northwestern Oklahoma State University at Application for Admission (A separate application to Graduate Studies is not required for our doctoral program.)

2. Baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an ACEN (NLNAC), CCNE, or CNEA accredited program

3. Grades and/or Grade Point Average info:

The applicant must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 out of a possible 4.00 for college/university work.

An overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is necessary for the last 60 hours for the courses required for the undergraduate nursing degree (BSN).

Application may be made for conditional admission by students having an overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.50 with five years having passed since the date of completion of the BSN degree.

Completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in descriptive and inferential statistics with a grade of "C" or better.

6. Current unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Oklahoma.

Out-of-state students must provide proof of unrestricted licensure to practice in their resident state as a registered nurse.

7. Students with a native language other than English must submit evidence of English language proficiency. Evidence may include:

Completing a four-year bachelor's degree in Nursing from a U.S. institution

Meeting the English language requirements of an official TOEFL score

The TOEFL must have been taken within the last two (2) years.

520 for paper-based test, 190 for computer-based test, 68 for an internet-based test)

Meeting the English language requirements of an official IELTS score

6.5 or higher is required

8. A phone, video, or in-person admission interview may be required. Applicant will be notified by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants will be notified of the Admission Committee’s decision regarding their respective applications prior to the end of the spring semester. The number of applicants accepted will be dependent on the number of qualified applicants, the availability of faculty, and clinical sites.

This includes a $15 application fee by mailing a check to Business Office, 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717 or by calling them at (580) 327-8534 to pay with a credit card.

Application fees and dorm deposits are the only things you can pay for by phone or in person with a credit card in the Business Office.

OR

Application for Readmission (A BSN degree must be earned and a registered nurse license obtained before you can apply to the DNP program. This means current Northwestern nursing students may have to wait a semester or year to apply, depending on graduation date. In this case, an Application for Readmission will need to be submitted - $15 fee waived.)

2. All Official College/University Transcripts

To be considered official, college transcripts may be submitted by the student in person or by mail. The Registrar’s office also will accept transcripts sent electronically as official if they are sent via email to Sheri Lahr or Teri Warren directly from the issuing institution or the institution’s third party company (E-Script, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.). These transcripts must be on file in the Northwestern Registry Office on the Alva campus.

Students applying who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Northwestern may submit an unofficial Northwestern transcript, along with official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended before and after attending Northwestern.

A nursing faculty member in your BSN/MSN/EdD/PhD program who can attest to your academic ability to participate in a doctoral program, and can identify your personal qualifications, including leadership and critical thinking abilities to be an effective, doctorally prepared advanced practice nurse.

A supervisor within the past three years

If you graduated from your BSN/MSN/EdD/PhD program more than five years ago, a supervisor within the past five (5) years.

Relatives, friends, co-workers of equal or less rank, religious or spiritual leaders, and clients or patients are not appropriate references.